Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

NORTICA MEANS WELL

Mackay’s music scene is one that’s growing at a rapid rate led by bands such as the prolific and dedicated Nortica.

“It’s been really good recently just with everyone kicking back into action,” said Nortica lead singer and rhythm guitarist Tate Obst.

“There’s been heaps of gigs and heaps of youngsters, as well, playing music,”

“For a while there, there wasn’t much going on.

“There’s always been a really good metal scene in town, which is cool, but you’re starting to see some other bands popping out.

Nortica have become a Mackay staple, headlining their own shows and becoming the go-to support for touring bands making their way to the region.

With Tate up the front, Tate’s brother Jasper on drums and backup vocals, Connor McKinney-Moss on lead guitar and Jarell Corowa on Bass Guitar, the boys are starting to live their music dreams.

The band releases their sophomore single ‘Means Well’ today, with plenty more to come, Tate says.

“We’re really excited for that one because this first EP is a real shift in our sound, being a three-piece band, then a four-piece band, this is all old stuff now,” he said.

“We’re sort of playing different music now, so it’ll be really cool to see what’s coming even after this stuff.”

Brothers Tate and Jasper started playing music at an early age, with Tate receiving a violin and Jasper a drum kit for their birthdays.

Tate picked up the guitar in grade 10 and started to play gigs around town with good mate Connor, with Wakehouse Australia always being willing to give them a gig.

Tate, Jasper, Connor and Jarell ultimately formed to become Nortica in August last year when the boys entered Passport to Airlie and have been kicking goals ever since.

With influences including alternative, surf rock, funk, grunge and metal, Tate says writing music as a band almost always starts as a jam.

“We all start freestyling and playing music and if we like something that we’re playing we generally record it on voice memos,” he said.

“We just revisit it and keep things that we like.”

Not only is there plenty more new music coming, but the boys also have some massive gigs booked including Rhythm and the Reef tomorrow, the Rumble on the Reef Wake Comp the week after and some support slots for some of Australia’s biggest bands.

Tate says they’re most excited to be supporting Hockey Dad at the Seabreeze Hotel next month.

“It’s insane,” he said.

“I remember getting on the phone to the boys, I got the email, and I lost my crap calling Jasper.

“I can’t really explain how excited we are.”

In a tightknit community like Mackay, with a burgeoning music scene, Tate says there is a real community aspect that has helped them get to where they are today.

The band received a grant from the Regional Arts Development Fund to assist in recording their EP earlier this year.

“There’s a lot of cool stuff available through the Council that we’re lucky enough to utilise and be able to do the stuff that we want to do, especially with recording because it costs some serious coin,” Tate said.

On top of the grant, Tate says Nortica have collaborated with people, venues and businesses throughout the community including Kadence Group, Red Lotus Company and Gina’s Flags.

“There’s a lot of people in town that can help out and stick out a hand for you when you’d do the same for them,” he said.

“It’s really cool.

“The networking that goes on in this town, it’s crazy that there isn’t a bigger scene.”

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